You just gotta come and visit us. All the signs are
pointing in the right directions .the river is down (about eighteen feet from a year
ago) with tons of fish and wadeable water for at least half the day with light discharges
from the dam in the afternoon and evening. Gasoline prices are down and still falling. The
temperature is climbing and the pool is up and running. Just a perfect combination for a
summer trout fishing getaway with family and friends. Give us a holler and we will take
care of you.

As of most of you, we also have had some pretty funky
weather so far in 2012. Very mild winter with a lot of rain in March. That got the lake
levels rising and in anticipation of our normal heavy rains in May, the corps dumped water
to make room for more. May came but more rain didnt. Has been dry as a
bone for most of May and June. That should mean the river will remain low with the power
company only generating in the afternoon and evenings to peak off demand for air
conditioning. Thats great news for our summer time guests who do a lot of wade
fishing and for their children who just love to play in the water.

I do want to give special thanks to our Fish and Game
folks who raised the size limit for the browns from 16 to 24 inches. Although we encourage
all our guests to release any browns caught, the increase to 24 inches has resulted in
large number of these beautiful trout being caught in the 18 to 22 inch range and
they are still in the river waiting for you to take your best shot at hooking up with one.
Partner Steve Miller has a ten pounder right across the river from us. Hooked up yes.
Landed no. That big ole brown knows all the tricks in the book. Favorites are the
stump wrap followed by the swim upriver with the quick turnaround and downriver at about
sixty mph. Either way the result is this sickening snap sound and its
back to the drawing board.

George, that's a real beauty. Where did you get it?
Picked it up at the "flippin" tobacco shop!

And as always, the fishing for rainbows remains
incredible. Just now the Beckcoms returned from a half day guided trip. I asked how
the fishing was. Amazing. We probably caught sixty fish and we are worn
out. There are two very happy guests and a guide that did a great job. Thats
what it is all about.

Summer is a very special time here at Sportsmans.
Its a whole lot more than fishing. Folks are outside grilling. You can hear the
squeals of the kids at the pool, the clank of the horseshoes and the bounce of the
basketball. Strangers talk and become friends.

Children and pets play together. Its hot but
we have a place where you can always cool down. A swim with the fishies can turn the
hottest day into a very cool experience. And the very best part is everyday we get see old
friends and meet new ones. If you havent already made reservations, please give us a
call. We would enjoy having you as our guests. Hope we see you soon.